KEEP SINGIN’ THE BLUES

I think Justin Hayward’s comment concerning The Moody Blues having little contact with each other outside of work can only refer to the present line-up.

John Lodge has been a friend of Ray Thomas since their teens, continuing to live a few miles apart and in fairly regular contact. Similarly Ray has rekindled his friendship with Mike Pinder since leaving the band and through these links the three were reunited on John’s 2015 solo album [10,000 Light Years Ago].

It is this sort of recorded reunion that I would have preferred to see the band having (however unlikely) and agree with Justin’s comments re the likely letdown of a live performance. However, the time has passed and a likely mix of band politics and health issues seems to have left the Moodies’ recorded career at an end with the so-so 2003 Christmas album [December] rather than a possible final burst from the glorious classic five. At least the Days Of Future Passed anniversary arrived just in time to liven up a rather predictable stage show for what has always been a great live band. It might just have added another 12 months to their existence.

Whatever, there will never be another band quite like The Moody Blues and if someone had told the teenage me in the early 1970s that they would still be in existence in 2017, you could imagine the response. Thanks for the piece.